Modern Masculinity

Hector sits down with Jeff Hittner—executive coach, educator, and founder of Ambitious Dads—to unpack the evolving landscape of fatherhood and modern masculinity. From emotional regulation during your child’s tantrums to building a fatherhood philosophy that aligns with your values, Jeff explores the daily challenges and triumphs of being a present, intentional dad. Together, they dismantle outdated stereotypes, explore the science of male bonding, and share practical insights on cultivating deeper emotional intelligence. If you're a dad, a future father, or just a man navigating growth, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and inspired to show up more fully.Chapters:00:00:00 – Kicking things off with gratitude and grounding vibes.00:01:05 – Enter Jeff Hittner: Founder of Ambitious Dads and fatherhood trailblazer.00:02:46 – Emotional regulation isn’t just for kids—Jeff shares the real inner work.00:05:32 – Screw-ups happen. Here’s why repair and apology are your superpowers.00:10:15 – Can you be vulnerable and still strong? This convo says hell yes.00:22:50 – What’s your fatherhood philosophy? Start creating your vision now.00:26:38 – The modern dad is here—and he’s way more than a provider.00:31:36 – Yes, your biology changes when you become a dad. Here’s the science.00:41:20 – Final reflections + where to follow Jeff for more dad-fueled wisdom.Links And Resources:Jeff Hittner’s Substack: Ambitious DadsJeff Hittner on LinkedInAmbitious Dads Program: Learn More Here.Hector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

In this episode, Hector has a great talk with his longtime friend and Modern Man Podcast host, Ted Phaeton, about the weight men carry—fatherhood, marriage, business, and the relentless pursuit of being that guy in every arena. Ted shares how he’s juggling the chaos of raising a newborn while running his podcast and coaching business, all while staying dialed in on his health, discipline, and leadership. They get into why men need to embrace both their strength and their softness, how breathwork and Muay Thai are shaping Ted’s ability to lead, and why the “have it all” myth is setting guys up for failure. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, stuck between your responsibilities and your purpose, this one’s for you.Chapters:00:00:00 - The Weight We Carry as Men00:00:56 - Newborns, Business, and the Chaos in Between00:02:46 - Keeping the Plates Spinning: Fatherhood vs. Career00:04:42 - What Every Man Needs to Hear (But Rarely Does)00:10:31 - Mastering the Clock: Time, Discipline, and Execution00:16:37 - Staying Steady When the Storm Hits00:18:42 - Pressure, Peace, and the Art of Staying Cool00:22:45 - Brotherhood, Breathwork, and the Real Meaning of Self-Care00:23:35 - Warrior & Poet: The Full Spectrum of a Man00:25:26 - Life Has Seasons—Are You Built for All of Them?00:27:45 - The Most Dangerous Man in the Room00:30:22 - Who You Are vs. Who They Told You to Be00:33:09 - The Four Codes Every Man Should Live By00:36:26 - Building a Life That Works—Not Just One That Pays00:38:05 - The Trap of Chasing the Wrong Success00:40:54 - Your Next Steps—And Why This Conversation MattersLinks and Resources:Ted on LinkedInThe Modern Man Show WebsiteThe Modern Man Show on YouTubeMore links for Ted here!Hector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Will Knecht, a man who’s been in the trenches of fatherhood, marriage, and masculinity long enough to know that the work never really ends. They get into the realities of being a dad, a stepdad, and now a grandpa, all while navigating what it means to be a man in a world that’s constantly shifting the goalposts. Will opens up about imposter syndrome, the weight of expectations, and the loneliness so many guys carry in silence. This is a conversation about legacy, about breaking cycles, and about how to show up fully as the man your people need you to be—without losing yourself in the process.Chapters:00:00:00 – Press Play and Brace Yourself00:01:22 – Will Knecht Steps Into the Arena00:01:56 – Fatherhood, Manhood, and the Weight We Carry00:04:26 – The Masculinity Maze: Finding Your Way00:06:09 – Feel It or Fail: Why Emotions Matter00:07:53 – Dad Didn’t Say ‘I Love You’—Now What?00:15:49 – School vs. Real Life: Which One Wins?00:23:14 – Alone in a Crowded Room: The Silent Struggle00:28:31 – The Last Word (And It’s a Good One)Links and Resources:Will on LinkedInMoreTheMan NewsletterHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Lawrence Dunning is back, and as always, he’s bringing the real. A top 1% real estate agent, investor, Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and host of Enter the Lionheart, he’s lived a life full of big wins and brutal lessons. This time, he opens up about business partnerships gone wrong, the stress of lawsuits, and the hard truths that come with getting older—like juggling fatherhood, a career, and aging parents, all while trying to stay grounded. If you’ve ever felt the weight of responsibility piling up, this one’s for you.Chapters:00:00:00 – The Man Who Wears Many Hats (And a Black Belt)00:02:10 – Lessons from Lawsuits: What They Don’t Teach in Business School00:03:47 – Health, Family, and the Reality Check of Middle Age00:05:11 – Why a Sick Man Only Wants One Thing00:07:47 – The Illusion of Balance: Juggling Fatherhood, Business & Self-Mastery00:11:07 – Meditation, Cold Plunges, and Training the Mind Like a Fighter00:14:58 – Facing Fear: From the Fight Game to Life’s Hardest Hits00:26:04 – Rewriting the Past: Inner Child Work & Breaking Old Patterns00:30:35 – Shifting Perspectives: The Mindset That Changes Everything00:39:20 – Closing the Loop: Where to Find Lawrence & What’s NextLinks and Resources:Lawrence on LinkedInTeam DunningHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Marshal Gillen, an award-winning speaker, speaker trainer, and men’s coach opens up about the wreckage and rebirth that followed his last breakup—140 days since his life fell apart, but who’s counting? He and Hector discuss the struggles men face in toxic relationships, the mind games of narcissistic abuse, and the brutal realization that maybe self-worth was never really there to begin with. This is for the guy who feels like he’s losing himself, the one searching for answers, and the one ready to take his power back. No fluff, no filters—just the raw truth about healing, masculinity, and starting over.Chapters:00:00:00 – Where It All Begins00:01:56 – A Familiar Face, A Different Man00:02:21 – The Armor We Wear, The Weight We Carry00:04:18 – Love, Need, or Trap?00:04:59 – The Invisible Chains We Call Love00:06:21 – The Mirror That Love Holds Up00:08:21 – When a Boy’s Tears Dry Too Soon00:11:33 – The Wounds We Deny, The Patterns We Repeat00:21:18 – Dancing in Circles with a Ghost00:25:11 – The First Domino to Fall00:27:24 – The Unbreakable Knot of Pain and Love00:30:49 – When the Past Knocks, Will You Open the Door?00:35:32 – Who Are You Without the Pain?00:39:22 – Four Steps, A Lifetime of Change00:40:22 – The Purpose Waiting on the Other Side00:43:41 – Brotherhood, Sanctuary, and the Art of Being Seen00:47:33 – Faith, Strength, and the Masculine SoulLinks and Resources:Marshal on LinkedInMarshal on InstagramAll of Marshal’s Links and Resources for N.A.R.C. SupportSacred Kingdom ChurchHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector and Jake Isaacs, the co-founder of Gathering the Kings, have a real heart-to-heart about what it means to be a man these days. Jake opens up about figuring himself out, ditching old ideas about being a guy, and how a tough challenge changed how he sees his purpose, leading others, and relationships. They get real about the stuff guys don't talk about, the myths that hold them back, and the tough truths about being genuine in today's world. It's raw, honest, and will make you think long after the episode's over.Chapters:00:00:00 – Kicking Off with the Guest Who Redefines Growth00:02:04 – Why Jake Isaacs’ Journey Starts with Reading00:03:03 – What Happens When Identity Becomes Your Shield00:04:08 – Childhood Stories That Shape Who We Are00:05:44 – Misaligned Marriages: Hard Lessons from Jake’s Past00:08:12 – The Dangerous Myth of ‘Happy Wife, Happy Life’00:12:53 – Are Nice Guys Really Finishing Last?00:14:37 – Unpacking the Power of Polarity in Love00:18:43 – The John Mayer Script for Love: Myth or Reality?00:19:47 – Building Family Mastermind Moments That Stick00:20:42 – Loneliness, Brotherhood, and the Male Crisis00:21:40 – How Vulnerability Can Change the Game for Men00:23:49 – Why Owning Your Story Is a Superpower00:25:19 – Lessons from a Lifetime of Reading and Reflection00:28:05 – Mentorship as the Secret to True Growth00:32:36 – Silent Retreats and Darkness: A Different Kind of Growth00:37:53 – Redefining Modern Masculinity: The Big TakeawayLinks and Resources:Jake on LinkedInJake on InstagramGathering the KingsGathering the Kings on YouTubeHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Kristian Nylund shares his journey of overcoming the hardships of alcohol dependency, how to handle societal pressures, and redefining himself as an authentic and present father. He talks about the deep insecurities that shaped his choices, his battle to align with his true identity, and the freedom that came with sobriety. Tune in to hear about the hidden struggles of men, the importance of vulnerability, and how the right support system can make all the difference.Chapters:00:00:00 - A Candid Beginning00:01:50 - Steps Toward Sobriety00:02:43 - The Turning Point for Growth00:04:01 - Living Authentically Every Day00:06:42 - Sobriety’s Ripple Effect00:07:15 - Unmasking Insecurities00:13:44 - Alcohol: Cultural Norms and Choices00:16:35 - Choosing a New Path00:22:22 - Sobriety in Isolation: COVID’s Lens00:23:54 - Reading Life’s Subtle Clues00:24:38 - Moderation’s Perpetual Loop00:25:12 - Drawing a Line in the Sand00:26:44 - Unpacking Emotional Weight00:31:47 - Strength in Shared Struggles00:33:22 - Building Connections That Matter00:35:01 - Redefining Yourself, One Step at a Time00:40:55 - Wrapping Up the JourneyLinks and Resources:Kristian on InstagramSober Identity PodcastHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector welcomes Will Latif Little, keynote speaker, coach, author and film subject, for a conversation about acceptance, awareness, and intentional living. Will shares his journey from childhood trauma and street life to personal transformation and purpose-driven growth. He talks about pivotal moments, the weight of unprocessed pain, and how vulnerability became a strength in his healing journey. He talks about life as a dad, going through loss, and being resilient. Will offers his opinions and perspective of masculinity and the importance of addressing emotional wounds before they manifest into cycles of harm. Chapters00:00:00 – The Weight We Carry: Opening Reflections00:01:04 – From Streets to Stage: Will's Turning Point00:02:16 – Manhood Under Pressure: Roles and Realities00:03:49 – Acceptance: The Quiet Key to Change00:06:51 – Emotional Trauma: Wounds We Don't See00:11:08 – The Moment Commitment Becomes a Lifeline00:19:02 – Grief and Self-Care: Two Sides of Survival00:22:59 – Old Habits Die Loud: Breaking Cycles00:24:44 – Grief Day: Processing Pain on Purpose00:26:41 – Raising Sons in a Shifting World00:30:53 – The Unspoken Weight: Vulnerability & Healing00:32:15 – Safe Spaces Aren't Soft Spaces00:33:32 – Transformation Isn’t Always Loud00:36:44 – Energy Changes Everything: Owning the Room00:38:32 – Where to Find Will: Coaching, Classes, Connection00:40:14 – Masculinity Reimagined: Ancient Truths, Modern ChallengesLinks and ResourcesWill Latif LittleWill on LinkedInWill on InstagramTake Your Life BackICY - Inner City YouthHow to Become the Best Version of Yourself | Will Latif Little | TEDxWilmingtonSalonHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with filmmaker and storyteller Amarii Usher for a raw and honest conversation about the emotional tightrope men walk in today’s world. They talk about vulnerability, ego, healing, and struggles of masculinity in today’s world. From the impact of social media on relationships to the weight of independence and the complex patterns of attachment, this conversation pulls no punches. Amarii shares personal insights and reflections, challenging societal norms while offering a refreshing perspective on what it means to show up authentically in relationships and life.Chapters00:00:00 – The Calm Before the Vulnerability Storm00:01:12 – Mirrors and Shadows: An Introspective Glimpse00:02:20 – A Voice Enters: Amarii Takes the Mic00:02:50 – Balancing on the Edge of Feelings00:09:35 – Digital Strings: How Social Media Pulls at Hearts00:13:59 – Swiping Left on Modern Dating Realities00:19:52 – Independence vs. Intimacy: The Tightrope Walk00:20:46 – The Invisible Weight of Being Needed00:22:50 – Masculinity Redefined: Beyond Stereotypes00:26:17 – The Silent Battle Between Ego and Responsibility00:28:35 – The Fragile Art of Healing Without Armor00:35:15 – Patterns of Attachment: Chasing or Avoiding?00:38:10 – Echoes of Reflection: Closing the CircleLinks and ResourcesAmarii on InstagramAmarii on TikTokAmarii on YouTubeAmarii’s LinkTreeHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!

Hector sits down with Tom Bresnahan to explore the growing challenges of being a dad, the role of men in today’s society, and how shifting cultural norms impact boys and families. They discuss the influence of technology, addiction, and societal expectations on youth while talking about the decline of rites of passage and the misconceptions surrounding masculinity. Tune in to hear Tom explain how dads can lead by example, guiding boys into adulthood with clarity and resilience.Chapters00:00:00 - The Puzzle Begins00:01:31 - Meeting the Man Behind the Mission00:02:04 - A Journey Through Fire and Growth00:03:11 - Fatherhood’s Untold Battles00:08:16 - The Art of Raising Emotionally Aware Humans00:12:06 - Screens and the Future of Our Children00:15:00 - Redefining the Modern Man’s Place00:18:10 - Demons, Shadows, and Redemption00:22:29 - Building Tomorrow’s Men Today00:24:58 - Lost Rituals and Forgotten Scouts00:25:36 - Misunderstood Boys and Masculinity’s Myths00:26:17 - Hollywood’s Quiet Influence on Gender Stories00:28:56 - Facing Societal Shifts Head-On00:30:14 - Masculinity Through the Cultural Lens00:37:23 - A Handbook for Raising Sons00:40:15 - Lifelines for Parents and Families00:44:42 - Masculinity, RedefinedLinks and ResourcesTom on LinkedInTake Back Control by Tom BresnahanHector Santiesteban on LinkedInHector Santiesteban on TwitterThanks so much for joining us this week. Want to subscribe to Modern Masculinity? Have some feedback you’d like to share? Connect with us on iTunes and leave us a review!